Linear gradient in Figma - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Concept Flow

Start Color (#FF0000) --> Linear Gradient --> End Color (#0000FF)
Angle: 90 degrees (left to right)

The linear gradient is created by blending the start color to the end color along the specified angle.

Formula

linear-gradient(90deg, #FF0000, #0000FF)

This code defines a linear gradient from red to blue horizontally.

Step-by-Step Trace

Step	Expression	Evaluates To	Explanation
1	Angle = 90 degrees	90 degrees	Defines gradient direction from left to right.
2	Start Color = #FF0000 (red)	#FF0000	Gradient starts with red color.
3	End Color = #0000FF (blue)	#0000FF	Gradient ends with blue color.
4	Combine angle and colors	linear-gradient(90deg, #FF0000, #0000FF)	Creates the horizontal gradient from red to blue.

The final linear gradient smoothly transitions from red on the left to blue on the right at 90 degrees.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Value
Angle	90 degrees
Start Color	#FF0000
End Color	#0000FF

Key Moments

What does the angle 90 degrees specify?

Which color does the gradient start with?

What is the final formula combining all parts?

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What direction does a 90 degree angle represent in a linear gradient?

A Top to bottom

B Left to right

C Diagonal

D Circular

Key Result

A linear gradient blends two colors smoothly along a specified angle, here from red to blue horizontally at 90 degrees.

Transcript

We start with the angle 90 degrees, which means the gradient goes from left to right. The start color is red (#FF0000), and the end color is blue (#0000FF). Combining these, the formula linear-gradient(90deg, #FF0000, #0000FF) creates a smooth horizontal gradient from red to blue.

Practice

1. What does a linear gradient do in a Figma design?

easy

A. Adds a shadow effect to objects

B. Rotates the object by a certain angle

C. Changes the font style of text

D. Creates a smooth blend of colors in one direction

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of linear gradients

   Linear gradients blend two or more colors smoothly along a straight line.

2. Step 2: Identify the effect in Figma

   In Figma, linear gradients create color transitions in one direction, enhancing visual appeal.

3. Final Answer:

   Creates a smooth blend of colors in one direction -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Linear gradient = smooth color blend [OK]

Hint: Linear gradient blends colors smoothly in a line [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing gradient with shadow effects
• Thinking it changes text font
• Assuming it rotates objects

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set a linear gradient angle in Figma?

easy

A. linear-gradient(45deg, #FF0000, #0000FF)

B. linear-gradient(45, #FF0000, #0000FF)

C. linear-gradient(45rad, #FF0000, #0000FF)

D. linear-gradient(45%, #FF0000, #0000FF)

Solution

1. Step 1: Recognize the angle unit for linear gradients

   Figma uses degrees (deg) to specify the angle of a linear gradient.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   linear-gradient(45deg, #FF0000, #0000FF) uses '45deg' which is correct; others use invalid units like '45', '45rad', or '45%'.

3. Final Answer:

   linear-gradient(45deg, #FF0000, #0000FF) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Angle unit = deg [OK]

Hint: Use 'deg' for angles in linear gradients [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting 'deg' unit for angle
• Using radians or percentages incorrectly
• Confusing angle with color stop values

3. What will be the visual result of this Figma linear gradient code?
linear-gradient(90deg, #00FF00 0%, #0000FF 100%)

medium

A. A solid green color with no gradient

B. A gradient from blue on the left to green on the right

C. A gradient from green on the left to blue on the right

D. A gradient from green at the top to blue at the bottom

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the angle 90deg in linear gradients

   90 degrees means the gradient goes horizontally from left (0%) to right (100%).

2. Step 2: Analyze the color stops

   Color starts with green (#00FF00) at 0% (left) and transitions to blue (#0000FF) at 100% (right).

3. Final Answer:

   A gradient from green on the left to blue on the right -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   90deg = left to right gradient [OK]

Hint: 90deg means left to right gradient [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up start and end colors
• Confusing horizontal with vertical gradient
• Ignoring color stop percentages

4. Identify the error in this Figma linear gradient code:
linear-gradient(180, #FF0000, #00FF00)

medium

A. Gradient must have at least three colors

B. Missing 'deg' unit for the angle

C. Gradient direction cannot be 180

D. Colors are not valid hex codes

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the angle syntax

   The angle '180' must include the unit 'deg' to be valid in Figma.

2. Step 2: Verify color codes and gradient rules

   Colors '#FF0000' and '#00FF00' are valid hex codes; 180deg is a valid direction; two colors are allowed.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing 'deg' unit for the angle -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Angle unit required = deg [OK]

Hint: Always add 'deg' after angle number [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Leaving out 'deg' unit
• Thinking colors are invalid
• Assuming gradient needs 3+ colors

5. You want to highlight a sales dashboard header with a linear gradient that fades from transparent to blue horizontally. Which Figma code achieves this best?

hard

A. linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,255,0) 0%, rgba(0,0,255,1) 100%)

B. linear-gradient(0deg, #0000FF 0%, #FFFFFF 100%)

C. linear-gradient(180deg, #0000FF 0%, transparent 100%)

D. linear-gradient(45deg, #0000FF, #00FFFF)

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the requirement for horizontal fade from transparent to blue

   The gradient should go left to right (90deg) starting transparent blue to solid blue.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,255,0) 0%, rgba(0,0,255,1) 100%) uses rgba with alpha 0 to 1 horizontally, matching the requirement. Others have wrong directions or colors.

3. Final Answer:

   linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,255,0) 0%, rgba(0,0,255,1) 100%) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Horizontal transparent to blue = linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(0,0,255,0) 0%, rgba(0,0,255,1) 100%) [OK]

Hint: Use rgba with alpha for transparency in gradients [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using wrong angle for horizontal fade
• Using hex colors without transparency
• Reversing color stops order